How Much Time Do You Really Spend in Nature?
Montana
December 9, 2020
Nature is all around us. As cliche as this sounds, it’s just as true. We are in it everyday, living and breathing it in. But how much do we interact with nature? What does nature mean to our generation? With social media, video games, and heavy amounts of schoolwork, nature seems less of a priority and more of a hassle. How can I make time to go for a hike when I can barely finish my mounds of homework? Why would I want to look out the window during a car trip when I could be watching the newest episode of the Bachelor?
One easy answer is that nature will motivate you to finish all your schoolwork, allowing for more screen time. The outdoors is a great motivator and energizer. Even ten minutes outdoors can change your whole mood. Professor Ryan Richards reported that after conducting a series of studies, most participants reported feeling more alive when outside than they had all day. Participants suffering from mental health problems also seemed to come alive and be “filled with joy” when discussing memories from camping trips or watching beautiful sunsets. A therapist from New City Counseling reports that, “being outdoors is very calming for our nervous system. Sunshine (which has vitamin D) is really good for getting our systems going. Getting out in nature also means you’re usually getting your body moving, whether it’s gardening or hiking, or walking. Movement is very therapeutic and healing.” You don’t have to be out in nature for hours at a time, even ten minutes a day can make a huge difference in your mood.
Many teenagers report that they felt “connected with nature” when younger, but as they’ve grown older that connection has been lost. One college student said, “I think as I grew older most of my friends started playing video games so I just gravitated indoors, there wasn’t much for me to do outdoors. But now even going outside and playing soccer makes me feel so chill and light.”
Sometimes it just takes realizing the health benefits and positive effects that nature has on you to convince you to go outside more. College Sophomore,Danny reports that, “The health benefits are paramount. This is an interesting fact, if you go outside barefoot and stand on grass you discharge electrons and when you discharge electrons your body[becomes] clearer. Also getting fresh air, air that doesn’t have as much CO2 is great for your brain.” It’s hard to ignore the facts, getting outside is a free and easy way to make your life better. For example, one women who was grappling with the loss of her son spent hours creating a beautiful garden in his honor. She felt a little more at peace, while also finding a way to keep herself busy.
Work hard not to take nature for granted. It can be hard because it’s all around us. Because our lives are busy. Because we are tired and want to relax. But unfortunately we don’t know how long our world will be in this state of beauty and health. Due to global warming and the constant growth of technology our world is in imminent danger. But if we can do our part to help bring light to beauty surrounding us and find joy in our natural environment we will be doing ourselves, and our world a favor.
